art presentation | Imke Rust

The poster announcing our event.

Dnipropetrovsk. I practiced very long and often to say it correctly and still I stumble over it. Since November last year, when Artsvit Gallery‘s curator, Ms Iryna Polikarchuk, approached me with the idea to visit this beautiful city and share my art and curatorial approach with them, Dnipropetrovsk has been a phrase set on repeat in my head.

Lots of planning and ideas were sent between us, until I finally could board the plane and fly to the Ukraine again, on the invitation of the Artsvit Gallery and the German Consulate in Donesk, who are currently located in Dnipropetrovsk. On the first evening I was joined by a wonderful and inspirational colleagues Ms Sabina Shikilinskaya (Azerbaijan) and Nikita Shalenny (Ukraine) for an introduction on our art and curatorial practice and public discussion afterwards. Additionally the visiting artists each had one evening to give an in-depth presentation about our art. All three events were received by much public interest and a packed audience.

During the days we also had a full program, organized by the gallery. Another main part of my visit was to meet with the German General Consul, Mr Mössinger and representatives of the city and gallery, to finalize details for a public installation of my art planned to be installed in a park in Dnipropetrovsk later this year. I am very exited about these plans, but will share more with you about this, closer to the time.

Following is a selection of impressions from my visit. I hope you enjoy them. (Click on the images to see a larger view and description.)

The gallery

Location scouting and discussion with the German General Consul Mr Mössinger, the city architect Mr Volik, Mr Bazarenko (architect) and representatives from the gallery. Photo by Artsvit Gallery

Location scouting and discussion with the German General Consul Mr Mössinger, the city architect Mr Volik, Mr Bazarenko (architect) and representatives from the gallery

Ancient Baba sculptures in front of the museum. Baba refers to grandmother.

View facing my hotel

View out of my hotel room

The biggest Jewish centre in the world.

Overlooking Dnipropetovsk

Photo by Artsvit Gallery

With Sasha Bondarchuk,Iryna Polikarchuk and Sabina Shikilinskaja.

With Iryna Polikarchuk and Sabina Shikilinskaja. Photo by Artsvit Gallery

Large shopping mall

Beautiful, but derelict old buildings

Close to the German consulate

Streetview

Street dog with tiny houses

Inside the Artsvit gallery

Evening presentations – Photo by Artsvit Gallery

Introducing myself. Photo by Artsvit Gallery

Public discussion on our art practices. Photo by Artsvit Gallery

Listening to my colleagues as part of the audience. Olga Tregubova translated for me. Photo by Artsvit Gallery

Presenting my art and film on Friday night. With Iryna Polikarchuk and the translator, Olga Tregubova.Photo by Artsvit Gallery

View from the audience. Photo by Artsvit Gallery

Press conference at the press centre. Photo by Artsvit Gallery

Visit to the Interpipe Steel factory, which has several commissioned artworks by Olafur Eliasson. This mural is one of them.

Visit to the Interpipe Steel factory, which has several commissioned artworks by Olafur Eliasson.

Visit to the Interpipe Steel factory, which has several commissioned artworks by Olafur Eliasson. The yellow sphere in the background is the up-coming sun, by Olafur Eliasson.